It's 5:30 on a Saturday morning and instead of getting ready to run before heading into a day's worth of track club volunteering, I'm sitting in front of the computer trying to figure out what to do with myself.
Yesterday evening I saw a local TV station van pull into Miramar Lake. I assumed, given it was just before 4, they were doing a weather shot, though it did occur to me that they may have caught that "bloodied migrant worker" mentioned in yesterday's post. It turns out a crew was there to report a woman was attacked while jogging on the lake path -- the same path I take at least two or three times a week. And she was attacked at 12:30 in the afternoon, not in the early morning hours when I am usually out there.
My friend Louise called last night to alert me. Anytime someone's attacked while running, you get a little freaked out. "Yeah, but this is my lake," Louise said. I knew immediately what she meant.
Maybe if I weren't coming off such a crappy week, this wouldn't have hit me so hard -- hard enough that I am currently a little scared to get out there alone. I'd been telling people all week about how invigorating it's been to run in cooler temps around the lake under a full moon, humming that 70s song "Moonlight Feels Right" to myself. Now, even waiting until the busiest part of the day is no refuge. Not right now, at least.
17 comments:
Ugh, I know that feeling... like you've been invaded and violated. All week for you! Get back on the horse when you're ready, but keep yourself safe.
That stuff definitely makes you think twice. There is danger everywhere. We just need to be aware of our surroundings and know how to defend ourselves. Don't let it keep you from your running for too long.
I am waiting for the first woman who will attack me while jogging. Only the dogs attack the old Black Knight.
Seriously: that is a very bad thing but i think that now the place is safe. Now the people (and the Police Dept.) know.
Oh, that's the pits. Now you've got to talk a buddy into going with you. I get a lot of flak about running by myself in the early morning hours - I try to be smart about it. I vary my route, I stay in lit areas. It's tough to think about.
When the going gets tough, it's time to take charge again....including our neighborhoods. Instead of hiding, get the neighbors together to take charge of the area again and let the "bad guys" that it will not be tolerated...period.
That's awful! Stay safe.
sad to say, guys don't think about being prey. please take every precaution.
i liked michael pollen's book. i also am enjoying marion nestle's
"what to eat".
wow. make sure you have pepper spray with you!!!
Stay safe, go out there when you are ready, even maybe with a partner the first time out. We shouldn't let this crazy world take away the things we enjoy. Even as a guy I have one ear on my ipod the other on the sounds around me whne I'm running alone.
That's awful Anne. Be careflu out there and aware of your surroundings.
this is one of the few issues around running that sends me into a rage. These attackers need to be dealt with severely.
I'm sorry you have to deal with this, Anne.
this sends a chill through me. i'm sorry anne...agh, horrible.
That really stinks. Evil people suck.
Oh, man, that's horrible, I'm so sorry. It's a bummer that it happens at all, but when it's somewhere that you run often. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes (no pun intended . . ) and wonder what that'd be like in my favorite running places. Maybe think of it as an opportunity to visit and explore new and interesting places, or revisit ones you haven't been to in a while.
When I lived in CO, I taught this "exercise for life" type class. There the ladies were all taking a hand gun course so they could carry while going on their walks.
They of course were afraid of bear and mountain lions.
Be safe!
You can't let fear rule your life. Take up running with a stick if you have to but don't let the buggers dictate your happiness.
That is so scary Anne. You be careful out there . . . you might consider getting yourself a watch-donkey.
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